Harker Heights’ Amanda Grate, Shoemaker’s Alexius Smith and Lady Grey Wolves head coach Elise Kea were showered with superlative honors on the 2025-2026 All-District 12-6A girls basketball awards list.
The top-tier accolades were supplemented by six first-team, eight second-team, 11 honorable mention and 20 academic all-district selections earned by Killeen ISD girls basketball players from Shoemaker, Harker Heights and Killeen.
Grate averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the 12-game district slate this season and was the second straight Lady Knights player to earn league MVP after Arianna Jennings in 2024-2025.
“Amanda consistently elevated our program with her performance and leadership,” Harker Heights head coach Shirretha Nelson said. “The MVP honor is well-deserved.”
Kea described Smith, a senior, as “The best defender in Shoemaker girls basketball history thus far,” which certainly fits considering Smith has been voted the defensive player of the year three consecutive seasons.
This year, Smith posted four deflections, three steals, seven points, six rebounds and 1.5 assists during district play.
Kea, who’s led the Lady Grey Wolves to the playoffs in each of her three seasons at the helm, guided a particularly successful squad through 2025-2026 to a program-record 28 victories and the first district championship (with a 11-1 record) since 2002-2003.
“Sometimes you become what you hear and see. So many coaches have poured positive, enlightening, and encouraging words into me. So many have been great mentors and role models for me. I'm blessed with great leadership at Shoemaker and great assistants and partners,” said Kea, who gave a special shout out to her grandmother and No. 1 fan, Elena McDade. “Coach of the year just proves I was supported this year, and just proves our players are as amazing as we think they are.”
The full All-District list is below.
Photos from throughout the season can be viewed at www.killeenisd.org/photos.
2025-2026 All-District 12-6A
Superlatives
Most valuable player: Amanda Grate, Harker Heights
Defensive player of the year: Alexius Smith, Shoemaker
Offensive player of the year: Kamil Ajose, Waco Midway
Newcomer of the year: Jayla Mitchell, Midway
Coach of the year: Elise Kea, Shoemaker
First Team
Shoemaker: Alexius Smith, Jalaiya Johnson, Amber Robinson
Harker Heights: Amanda Grate, Makaya Gaston
Killeen: I’Keriyah Thomas
Bryan: Avery Archer, Alyssa Ferguson
Copperas Cove: Kamryn Fox
Midway: Kamil Ajose, Jordan Mitchell
Temple: Tierney Perkins
Second Team
Shoemaker: Heaven Britton, Janeen Lashley-Hill, Alexis Robinson
Harker Heights: Courtney Simpson, A’Nasia Williams,
Killeen: Lilyana Jimenez, Deja Brooks, Ariana Brooks
Copperas Cove: Kaitlyn Urquidez, Seaniyah Boglin
Midway: Addison Gloor, Sha’Riyah Johnson
Honorable Mention
Shoemaker: Kaylee St. George, Kahlia Woodley
Harker Heights: Amari Jennings, Amaya Staton, Ry’Leigh Harris, Da’Nay Knox, Jayla Woullard, Sidnee Williams, Jyrah Gray
Killeen: Jaiden Jones, Zoe Thomas
Bryan: Lailah Mitchell, Victoria Fobbs, Zaniyah Turner, Mikayja Marshall, Amelia Sullivan
Copperas Cove: A’arrah Mouton Paulk, Liberty Roach
Midway: E’Myiah Bridgewater, Madisson Mullins, Aryana Tello, Jayla Mitchell
Temple: Kendall Tate, Jessie Johnson, Maciah Morgan
Academic All-District
Shoemaker: Heaven Britton, Kaylee St. George, Janeen Lashley-Hill, Kahlia Woodley, Amber Robinson, Karmen Harrison, Alexius Smith
Harker Heights: Amanda Grate, Kayla Cisneros, Amari Jennings, Da’Nay Knox, Courtney Simpson, Amaya Staton, A’Nasia Williams
Killeen: Lilyana Jimenez, I’Keriyah Thomas, Deja Brooks, Jaiden Jones, Aaliyah Abddeen, Tanaya Butts